If you have a gas stove, you may run into the issue of it clicking and not igniting or even continuing to click after igniting. The sound comes from the electric igniter built into the burner assembly, and occasionally issues with the igniter require stove repair. Here are a few tips for dealing with a clicking gas stove.

3 Tips for Troubleshooting a Clicking Burner

1. Check the Burner Cap

Sometimes, the burner cap can get knocked off-center, prevent the flow of propane from reaching the igniter. Some stoves have burner assemblies that are left- and right-oriented and can be switched accidentally during routine cleaning. Ensure the caps are in their correct places and properly situated on the assembly.

If the cap itself is dirty, caked grease and debris might be hindering the airflow or interfering with the spark from the igniter. In this case, try cleaning the cap thoroughly before putting it back into place.

2. Clean Up Debris

While cooking, you can get all sorts of food debris and grease around the burner assembly. If too much of this is left on, it can clog gas ports, coat the electric igniter, and prevent the appliance from working.

Sometimes, when the burner can’t get proper gas flow due to debris, simply cleaning up the burner will solve the problem. If wiping it down doesn’t work, and both the igniter and the gas ports are clean, contact a professional for stove repair.

3. Dry the Burner

Just as grease can coat the electric igniter and prevent it from properly arcing, if you place wet pots and pans on the stove or have recently spilled water on your burners, water can collect over the igniter.

In this situation, remember that this is an electric ignition system using an electric spark, much like a spark plug in a combustion engine. If there is enough moisture on your cooktop, and the ignition component has a fault, it does pose the potential risk for electric shock. As a precaution, call for stove repair instead of investigating further.

If you follow these tips, and your gas stove is still clicking, contact the professionals at Complete Appliance Service. These expert technicians have been serving northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, OH, since 1980 and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau®. Call (513) 661-3708 to request a quote, or check out their website to see their full range of appliance repair services.